Now a local newspaper in Detroit, ClickOnDetroit, has reported that sources have revealed that Cornell’s wife called a family friend who was on tour with the singer and asked him to check on Cornell.

That friend was then forced to open Cornell’s hotel room door where he was found dead in the bathroom with something around his neck. Sources said it appears to be a suicide.

Chris Cornell during RIP! Magazine Party in Hollywood(Picture: FilmMagic, Inc)

In a statement to The Associated Press on Wednesday night, Brian Bumbery, the singer’s representative, said Cornell died in Detroit and that the family were set to work closely with the medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

The American singer is best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for Seattle-based band Soundgarden, who achieved worldwide notoriety with their 1994 album Superunknown.

After splitting in 1997, they reunited in 2010 for their sixth studio album King Animal, with the band having sold more than 10.5 million records in the US as of 2012 and winning two Grammy awards.